NEWS
Continued Action on Diabetes is Needed Following Budget 2026
Diabetes Canada recognizes several positive measures in the Government of Canada's Budget 2026 that may help ease financial pressures on Canadians and their families. Making the Canada Caregiver Credit fully refundable is a welcome step toward providing greater financial support to caregivers, particularly those with lower incomes. Additionally, removing prescription requirements for eligible insulin and insulin pump expenses under the Medical Expense Tax Credit will help reduce administrative barriers for Canadians managing diabetes.
While these measures represent progress, more needs to be done to address the significant affordability, accessibility and availability challenges facing the more than 4 million Canadians living with diabetes. Budget 2026 does not include targeted investments to advance Canada's response to diabetes or address several important priorities identified in Diabetes Canada's 2026 Pre-Budget Submission.
Diabetes Canada continues to call on the federal government to take action in four key areas:
- Safeguard diabetes care during the implementation of the National Pharmacare Program: Ensure Canadians living with diabetes maintain uninterrupted access to the essential medications and devices they rely on.
- Advance targeted, equity-focused diabetes research: Support research that addresses gaps in diabetes prevention, care and outcomes, aligned with evolving federal research funding and data strategies.
- Expedite and stabilize a Federal Diabetes Device Access Fund: Establish sustained federal investment to improve equitable access to essential diabetes devices and technologies, regardless of where Canadians live or their ability to pay.
- Strengthen Canada's supply security for essential diabetes medicines: Invest in strategic domestic capacity to support a reliable supply of critical medications and strengthen Canada's pharmaceutical resilience.
Strategic federal investment in these areas can improve health outcomes, reduce long-term health system costs and strengthen Canada's health, economic and supply-chain resilience.
“Diabetes is relentless – and so must we be," says Glenn Thibeault, Executive Director, Government Affairs, Advocacy and Policy with Diabetes Canada. "While Budget 2026 includes some welcome steps to support caregivers and reduce administrative barriers for people managing diabetes, we know that much more is needed to address the everyday challenges of living with this condition. Canadians need reliable access to essential medications, equitable access to diabetes technologies and continued investment in research that improves care and outcomes."
On December 1, Diabetes Canada will bring together volunteers, partners and stakeholders in Ottawa to discuss key federal priorities and ways to improve the lives of Canadians affected by diabetes. The event is an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration, share perspectives and identify actionable next steps.